In 1988, my daughter Jenna turned 16, got her driver's license and immediately commandeered my lovely little BMW 2002 that I had bought new in San Francisco in 1973.

In 1988, my daughter Jenna turned 16, got her driver's license and immediately commandeered my lovely little BMW 2002 that I had bought new in San Francisco in 1973.

Photo: Stephen Finerty

Image 2 of 10

While you may imagine that an older BMW would be expensive to maintain, that has not been my experience at all. The 2002 had the motor rebuilt after about 30 years, and I think the most I have ever spent on the 6 was to have a pair of electric side mirrors fitted to the car shortly after I bought it. less

While you may imagine that an older BMW would be expensive to maintain, that has not been my experience at all. The 2002 had the motor rebuilt after about 30 years, and I think the most I have ever spent on the ... more

Photo: Stephen Finerty

Image 3 of 10

I enjoyed vintage racing for many years, so the sixer really satisfies my need for a solid, dependable and capable car to drive quickly when appropriate or to enjoy at legal speeds.

I enjoyed vintage racing for many years, so the sixer really satisfies my need for a solid, dependable and capable car to drive quickly when appropriate or to enjoy at legal speeds.

Photo: Stephen Finerty

Image 4 of 10

My daughter drove the 2002 all through her high school and college years, until I finally got it back. Now we are doing some upgrades to get it ready for my son to inherit. It's become a family heirloom, and I hope the 633CSi will do the same. less

My daughter drove the 2002 all through her high school and college years, until I finally got it back. Now we are doing some upgrades to get it ready for my son to inherit. It's become a family heirloom, and I ... more

Photo: Stephen Finerty

Image 5 of 10

Image 6 of 10

I started looking for another BMW. I'd always wanted a 3.0CS, but the few nice ones I looked at were far too expensive. The few ratty ones I looked at were, well, ratty, and I was in the middle of rebuilding a 1962 Lotus Super 7, so I had neither the time nor the resources for another project car. less

I started looking for another BMW. I'd always wanted a 3.0CS, but the few nice ones I looked at were far too expensive. The few ratty ones I looked at were, well, ratty, and I was in the middle of rebuilding a ... more

Photo: Stephen Finerty

Image 7 of 10

Plan B was the 6 Series coupe. I found a 1980 633CSi, with just about everything I wanted, for sale in Marin County. The car was painted silver, had black leather interior, sunroof and a manual transmission.

Plan B was the 6 Series coupe. I found a 1980 633CSi, with just about everything I wanted, for sale in Marin County. The car was painted silver, had black leather interior, sunroof and a manual transmission.

Photo: Stephen Finerty

Image 8 of 10

This is a "driver's car" without a lot of bells and whistles - it's just a straightforward, no-nonsense machine. We 6 Series owners like to think this is one of the best-looking BMWs ever, and the car is referred to as the "SHARK" because of its long and imposing front-end design. less

This is a "driver's car" without a lot of bells and whistles - it's just a straightforward, no-nonsense machine. We 6 Series owners like to think this is one of the best-looking BMWs ever, and the car is ... more

Photo: Stephen Finerty

Image 9 of 10

It's certainly great to throw around when the road is right, but mostly the enjoyment is in its touring ability.

It's certainly great to throw around when the road is right, but mostly the enjoyment is in its touring ability.

Photo: Stephen Finerty

Image 10 of 10

My Ride - 1980 BMW 633CSi

1 / 10

Back to Gallery

Rob Carrodus is a retired architect/builder who was born and raised in Australia and moved to California in 1969. He now fills in his time doing some design work, kitchen and bathroom remodels and fooling around with his cars. Rob lives in El Cerrito and is currently restoring a 1967 Lotus 51A Formula Ford.

In 1988, my daughter Jenna turned 16, got her driver's license and immediately commandeered my lovely little BMW 2002 that I had bought new in San Francisco in 1973. While the car would sit in the driveway at night, she was always buzzing off to school or to be with her friends, and I began to miss the little car that was so much fun to drive.

I started looking for another BMW. I'd always wanted a 3.0CS, but the few nice ones I looked at were far too expensive. The few ratty ones I looked at were, well, ratty, and I was in the middle of rebuilding a 1962 Lotus Super 7, so I had neither the time nor the resources for another project car.

Plan B was the 6 Series coupe. I'd always felt that the "sixers" were kind of big, but I'd admired the elegant body design and that aristocratic nose they have. This model was built between 1977 and 1989, and about 24,000 of them made it to America.

I found a 1980 633CSi, with just about everything I wanted, for sale in Marin County. The car was painted silver, had black leather interior, sunroof and a manual transmission. It had 106,000 miles when I bought it in 1989, and now has 165k after 22 years, so it definitely doesn't get the use it deserves.

This is a "driver's car" without a lot of bells and whistles - it's just a straightforward, no-nonsense machine. We 6 Series owners like to think this is one of the best-looking BMWs ever, and the car is referred to as the "SHARK" because of its long and imposing front-end design.

The car's strong suite is in eating up miles on trips to Los Angeles, to Portland to visit my grandson and family, or shorter two- or three-hour jaunts. It's certainly great to throw around when the road is right, but mostly the enjoyment is in its touring ability.

While you may imagine that an older BMW would be expensive to maintain, that has not been my experience at all. The 2002 had the motor rebuilt after about 30 years (and who knows how many miles; it quit counting at 149k), and I think the most I have ever spent on the 6 was to have a pair of electric side mirrors fitted to the car shortly after I bought it. I did have it repainted, but I don't count that as maintenance. I can do almost any mechanical work myself because in 1980 there were only minor electronic systems, and this car (fortunately) doesn't have a lot of unnecessary gizmos.

I take my driving seriously. My first car was a 1954 MGTF when I was growing up in Melbourne, and I have owned sports cars most of my life. I enjoyed vintage racing for many years, so the sixer really satisfies my need for a solid, dependable and capable car to drive quickly when appropriate or to enjoy at legal speeds.

My daughter drove the 2002 all through her high school and college years, until I finally got it back. Now we are doing some upgrades to get it ready for my son to inherit. It's become a family heirloom, and I hope the 633CSi will do the same.

We want to know why you drive what you drive. Submit a few paragraphs about your car with the subject line "My Ride" to cars@sfchronicle.com.